Fernie to host public hearing on allowing distilleries along Hwy 3

Fernie residents can have their say Monday night on a proposal to allow distilleries along the city’s highway corridor.

Staff will hold a public hearing 7 pm in Council Chambers to discuss amending bylaws for the development of a craft distillery on 7th Avenue.

Manager of Planning Patrick Sorfleet previously told us the current rules were made after extensive discussions with residents who did not want industrial business along Highway 3.

“I believe the intent of the community was to not have light industrial activities along our highway frontage,” Sorfleet says. “So to try and hide those less visually appealing uses. We’ve got areas of the community that are service commercial where those can occur.”

The applicant plans to produce up to 50,000 litres of spirits per year in that location.

They suggest a craft distillery could stimulate economic growth and diversity of tourism.

(Photos of highway corridor map and property affected by bylaw from the City of Fernie)